So, as revealed in the epilogue of Ember's End, Heather marries Smalls (we all knew she would), and they have two daughters, Maggie and Hanna, as well as a few other unnamed children. Additionally, Picket marries Louise, and they have a son, Jo, as well as--again--a few other unnamed children. However, personally, I don't like the names S. D. Smith chose for the Longtreader and Joveson children.
If I were to stick with naming the kids after other characters, I would've named Maggie Melody, after Harmony's deceased sister, and Hanna Jone, after Jone Wissel. Why don't I like the name Maggie? I mean, I'm not totally against it. Obviously Maggie Weaver is a wise and wonderful character who had a great influence on both Heather and Picket (imagine Heather naming her daughter after her just to steal the name from Picket, haha). But somehow, since Maggie is still alive, it seems unfitting. I would've been more comfortable with Mrs. Weaver being dubbed Maggie's godmother, or Heather giving her daughter the middle name of Maggie, or something like that.
As for Jo Longtreader...come on. He should've been named Helmer. (Or, better yet, Helmerson? Is that weird?) Honestly, I don't know why S. D. Smith didn't do so, although I'm sure he had a reason. Maybe Picket didn't think Helmer would've liked it? And then, of course, there's Young Helmer... Okay, I guess that would've complicated things. xD
If not named Helmer, then perhaps Ramnor or Snoden would've been fitting. Again, I don't like the name Jo because Jo is alive and well. Plus, I know Picket and Jo were friends, but they weren't name-my-child-after-you-close, at least not from what I remember.
Thoughts on this? What would y'all have named the Longtreader and Joveson kids?
first of all i do wish they had named someone after Helmer but they already honored him by putting up the mural. i wish maggie was melody and i wish they had made up new names for the other two.